Principal Engineer/ Lead Process Engineer

Candu Energy; Dadri; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Candu Energy is seeking a Principal Engineer - Process to provide technical leadership across clean water, desalination, wastewater and sludge treatment. The role spans feasibility through commissioning, with emphasis on process calculations, modelling and practical, safe improvements.

Senior candidates will guide design philosophy, engage with clients across international markets, and mentor engineers while ensuring performance and cost-effectiveness throughout the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or closely related discipline.
• 12–18 years of relevant process engineering experience in water/wastewater.
• Experience leading international projects and multidisciplinary delivery.

Responsibilities

• Act as Process Lead or Technical Authority on major water/wastewater projects.
• Lead feasibility studies, options appraisal and whole-life-cost evaluations.
• Prepare process calculations, flow/load assessments and equipment sizing.
• Conduct performance reviews, troubleshooting and root-cause analysis.
• Support process-safety and risk activities (HAZID/HAZOP).
• Develop procurement documentation and evaluate supplier bids.
• Provide construction, commissioning and start-up support and performance testing.

Skills

Process design

Water chemistry

Membrane systems

Project leadership

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Education

B.E./B.Tech in Chemical Engineering

Job description

Overview

The Principal Engineer - Process will provide technical leadership and process engineering assurance across clean water, desalination, wastewater and sludge treatment projects. The role will lead complex studies and designs from strategic assessment and feasibility through outline/detailed design, construction support, commissioning and performance optimisation, while developing engineers and strengthening client relationships.

Your Role

Roles & Responsibilities

Technical Experience and Role Requirements

Demonstrable experience in the selection, design, review, commissioning and optimisation of clean water, desalination, wastewater and sludge treatment systems across feasibility, outline design, detailed design and operational improvement stages.

• Clean-water experience should include source-water quality assessment; coagulation, flocculation, clarification and dissolved air flotation; rapid gravity, pressure and membrane filtration; activated carbon adsorption; ion exchange; advanced oxidation; remineralisation; disinfection; chemical storage and dosing; and management of treatment residuals.
• Desalination experience should cover seawater and brackish-water reverse osmosis, intake and outfall considerations, pre-treatment selection, membrane configuration and recovery, energy-recovery systems, fouling and scaling control, clean-in-place systems, post-treatment and stabilisation, product-water quality, and brine management.
• Wastewater experience should include preliminary and primary treatment, activated sludge, SBR, MBR and attached-growth biological processes, nutrient removal, tertiary filtration, disinfection, effluent reuse, sludge thickening, dewatering and digestion, and odour control.
• The role also requires capability in process calculations, mass and water balances, hydraulic and process modelling, equipment sizing, pilot and treatability studies, process-control philosophy, performance testing, trend and operational-data analysis, root-cause investigation, troubleshooting, capacity assessment, energy and chemical optimisation, and development of practical, safe and whole-life-cost-effective improvement measures.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as Process Lead or Technical Authority on major and technically complex water and wastewater projects, establishing the design basis, process philosophy, key criteria and assurance plan.
• Lead feasibility studies, options appraisal, whole-life-cost evaluation, process selection, pilot/trial planning, risk-based decision making and preferred-option recommendations.
• Prepare, review and approve process calculations and deliverables, including flow and load assessments, mass balances, hydraulic profiles, process flow diagrams, P&IDs, equipment sizing, datasheets, specifications, control philosophies, commissioning strategies and performance-test requirements.
• Undertake plant performance reviews, capacity assessments, process troubleshooting and root-cause analysis; translate operational data into practical improvement measures.
• Lead or support process-safety and design-risk activities including HAZID, HAZOP, SWIFT, DSEAR/ATEX reviews, CDM design-risk management and constructability/operability reviews.
• Develop procurement documentation, evaluate supplier and contractor submissions, undertake technical bid evaluation, manage technical clarifications and confirm compliance with performance requirements.
• Provide construction, commissioning and start-up support, including review of method statements, functional descriptions, operating procedures, sampling plans, performance testing and optimisation.
• Apply and develop digital engineering methods such as automated process-sizing tools, data analytics, process simulation, digital design environments and model-based review.
• Prepare and approve high-quality technical reports, proposals, scope documents, fee estimates and programme inputs across the project lifecycle.
• Maintain effective communication with clients and delivery teams across the UK and other international markets, presenting complex engineering recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

About You

• Bachelor's degree (B.E./B.Tech or equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering or a closely related discipline from a recognised institution.
• Typically, 12-18 years of relevant process engineering experience in the water and wastewater sector, including substantial responsibility for technical leadership, checking/approval and multidisciplinary delivery.
• Proven project experience covering at least two of the three core areas: clean water treatment, desalination/membrane systems and wastewater treatment; broader experience across all three is strongly preferred.
• Experience delivering international projects, preferably for UK, Middle East, Asia-Pacific or North American clients.
• Strong knowledge of process design principles, water chemistry, biological treatment, membrane systems, process control and com